Canarium

Canarium

Canarium is a genus of flowering plants in the family Burseraceae. It comprises approximately 75 species of trees and shrubs, commonly known as canariums or elemis. These plants are native to tropical and subtropical regions of Africa, Asia, and the Pacific Islands.

Description

Canarium species vary in size and habit, ranging from small shrubs to large trees reaching heights of up to 40 meters. They have alternate, pinnately compound leaves with numerous leaflets. The flowers are small and inconspicuous, typically arranged in panicles or racemes. The fruits are drupes, often with a fleshy mesocarp and a hard endocarp containing one or two seeds.

Uses

Canarium species have various practical uses. The seeds of some species, such as Canarium indicum, are edible and used in cooking or processed into oils. The oil extracted from the seeds is commonly known as elemi oil and is used in the production of varnishes, perfumes, and cosmetics. Canarium trees are also valued for their timber, which is used in construction, furniture making, and carving.

Species

The genus Canarium includes numerous species, some of which are:

• Canarium album - commonly known as the Chinese white olive, it is native to Southeast Asia.
• Canarium bengalense - a species found in India and Bangladesh.
• Canarium commune - also known as Java almond or kenari nut, it is native to Southeast Asia.
• Canarium indicum - commonly known as the canarium nut or galip nut, it is native to Melanesia and Southeast Asia.
• Canarium luzonicum - a species found in the Philippines.
• Canarium ovatum - commonly known as pili nut, it is native to the Philippines.

Conservation

Some species of Canarium are threatened by habitat loss and overexploitation. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has listed several species as vulnerable or endangered. Conservation efforts are being made to protect these species and their habitats.